BIRMINGHAM International Airport is celebrating the busiest month in its history and has announced a massive programme of expansion.

BIRMINGHAM International Airport is celebrating the busiest month in its history and has announced a massive programme of expansion.

In July 1,023,697 passengers travelled through the airport - an increase of 7.8 per cent over 2004.

Bosses are expecting an even bigger record during the August peak.

Now the airport is to expand the Terminal 1 departure lounge together with the immigration and baggage hall.

In Terminal 2, a project has just started to add further check in desks and baggage systems improvements.

Richard Heard, the airport's managing director, said: "These record passenger levels reflect the increasing desire of people in the Midlands to travel, and to do that from their regional airport.

"We have been delighted to launch a wide range of new services this year to places far and wide. We now serve 126 destinations across the world direct, and many more through connections at global hubs such as Dubai. You can now fly from Birmingham on more airlines, to more places, at more value.

"We have broken the records through a great team effort from everyone at the airport and we are continuing to invest in our facilities so that we provide an even better service for more passengers in the future.

"A major expansion to the Terminal 1 departure lounge is already under way, along with an expansion of the Immigration and Baggage Hall. In Terminal 2, we have just started a project to add further check in desks and baggage systems improvements."

On Friday July 29, the airport recorded its busiest ever day, with 38,190 passengers travelling through in 24 hours.